County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied)

1. Page 71

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 68 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing 6.1.12 Social Housing Trends Social housing support is housing provided by a local authority or an Approved Housing Body to people who are assessed as being unable to afford housing from their own resources. Housing support can be provided in a number of ways: I. Local Authority Housing Stock and Construction Local authorities are the main providers of social housing support in Ireland and have a statutory obligation to provide suitable, cost effective, quality accommodation and housing support for people in need of housing. The Council currently has a housing stock of 5,010 housing units. A tenant of a local authority will pay an income related differential rent. The Donegal Housing Delivery Action Plan 2022 – 2026 sets out a target to deliver 1,354 housing units over the lifetime of the Plan. II. Approved Housing Body Accommodation Approved Housing Bodies have become a significant provider of social housing support. There are over 500 Approved Housing Bodies in Ireland providing over 35,000 homes across the country. The housing provided by these bodies includes: • General housing, • Older persons accommodation, • Housing for people with disabilities including mental health issues, and • Homeless accommodation. To avail of Approved Housing Body owned accommodation an individual/ household must qualify for social housing support with the local authority. The local authority will then put forward applicants to the Approved Housing Body in line with their allocation policy. Approved Housing Bodies provide accommodation through new build, purchases, and leasing in the private market. In Donegal, 1300 units of housing are being provided through the Approved Housing Body sector with plans for future developments incorporated into the Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan (see table below). Table 6.9: Key Areas that may impact HNDA M D N o. of AHB Units Donegal 143 Glenties 196 Inishowen 298 Letterkenny-Milford 419 Lifford-Stranorlar 244 Total: 1,300 III. Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is available to any household that is qualified for social housing support and who find their own accommodation in the private rental sector. The local authority will make payments towards the rent on behalf of the household to the landlord and the household will pay an income-based rent to the local authority. In Donegal, there are currently 1,735 applicants in receipt of the HAP which represents 62% of the total housing waiting list (2023).

2. Page 72

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 69 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing Table 6.10: Social Housing Need Year Net Need Gross Need Source 2023 1076 2,777 iHouse @ 04.04.2023 2022 940 2,638 SSHA 2021 860 2,580 SSHA 2020 926 2,584 SSHA 2019 927 2,488 SSHA 2018 927 2,488 SSHA Percentage Increase 2018 to 2023 9% Gross need = net need and applicants in other forms of social housing support who are on the transfer list. IV. Tenant Adaptation Works The scheme is available for local authority tenants who require adaptations to be carried out to their local authority home to assist with their disability needs. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage fund 90% of the cost of the eligible works subject to overall maximum of €75,000 in each individual case with a contribution of 10% required from the Council’s own resources. In 2022, the Council’s allocation under this Scheme was €753,000. V. Social Leasing/Rental Accommodation Scheme The Social Housing Leasing Initiative and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) provide an additional source of rented accommodation for eligible persons through the private rental market. The statutory basis for the (long-term leasing schemes) and the RAS is provided for within the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Leasing introduces greater flexibility in the composition of the housing stock and local authorities can provide more homes than could be delivered through construction and acquisition alone. The Rental Accommodation Scheme is a social housing support which caters for the accommodation needs of certain people who are getting long-term Rent Supplement for a minimum period of 18 months and be assessed as having a long-term housing need. The total number of properties providing social housing under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is 186 and under the Leasing Scheme is 157. VI. Vacant Housing Repair and Leasing Initiative Repair and Lease aims to increase the supply of social housing by bringing vacant private properties in need of refurbishment back into use and to bring vacant properties into compliance with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. To help with the cost of carrying out the works required to refurbish a home, a local authority or Approved Housing Body (AHB) can initially pay for the necessary works (as agreed). The property owner agrees to enter a lease with the housing authority or AHB for a length that is linked to the value of the repairs, subject to a minimum of 5 years. The scheme has been expanded to include: - vacant commercial properties; - vacant units associated with a commercial property (e.g. over a shop); - vacant former institutional buildings and - unfinished developments where these have been vacant for a significant period of time. Repair and Lease is part of the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy 2018 – 2021.

3. Page 73

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 70 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing VII. Traveller Accommodation The current Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019 – 2024 outlines projects, commitments and targets in the delivery of a range of accommodation for the Traveller community throughout the duration of the programme. In terms of social housing, these targets have been met and substantially exceeded. The current programme expires on 30th June 2024. VIII. The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability assists disabled people in having adaptations carried out to make their house more suitable for them to live in. The types of works covered include the fitting of access ramps, grab rails, downstairs toilet, stair-lifts, level access showers, changes to allow wheelchair access, extensions, and any other works which are reasonably necessary to make a house more suitable to live in and covers works in privately owned houses for eligible applicants. There has been a significant increase in demand under the Housing Grants for Older People and People with Disabilities during 2022. The Department provides 80% funding towards these grant schemes with a Local Authority contribution of 20%. In 2022, works to the value of €3.3m were approved. IX. Local Authority Home Loan. Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for first time buyers or other eligible applicants and is for the purchase of new or second-hand residential properties and for self-builds. It also includes the purchase of homes through State schemes such as the Tenant Purchase Scheme and Affordable Housing Schemes. A person can borrow up to 90% of the market value of the property subject to a maximum market value of €250,000 in Donegal. 6.1.13 Social Housing Demand Type The categories of persons in need of social housing are set out below; Table 6.11: Categories of Persons in Need of Social Housing Social Housing Demand No. Unable to provide accommodation from own means 2,032 Involuntary Sharing 353 Disability 167 Homeless 68 Overcrowded 59 Exceptional Medical 42 Unfit 33 Mortgage Unsustainable 29 Total 2,783

4. Page 74

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 71 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing 6.1.14 Household Size The Social Housing accommodation requirements by size are; Table 6.12: Social Housing Requirements by Size Accommodation Requirement No. 1 bedroomed property 127 2 bedroomed property 1,784 3 bedroomed property 672 4 bedroomed property 164 5 bedroomed property 8 6 bedroomed property 3 Other/Not Specified 25 Total 2,783 Unable to provide accommodation from own means, 73% Involuntary Sharing, 13% Disability, 6% Homeless, 2% Overcrowded, 2% Exceptional Medical , 2% Unfit, 1% Mortgage Unsustainable, 1% Social Housing Demand Unable to provide accommodation from own means Involuntary Sharing Disability Homeless Overcrowded Exceptional Medical

5. Page 75

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 72 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing Table 6.13: Breakdown of the Current Tenure. Current Tenure No. Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) 1,485 Private Rented Accommodation (without rent supplement) 397 Living with parents 297 Local authority rented accommodation 189 Living with relatives 121 Emergency Accommodation / None 67 Owner Occupier 64 Living with friends 43 Voluntary Housing 33 Private Rented Accommodation (with rent supplement) 25 Other 19 Institution 17 Approved Housing Body (AHB) 14 Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) 12 Total 2,783 5% - 1 bedroomed property 64% - 2 bedroomed property 24% - 3 bedroomed property 6% - 4 bedroomed property Less than 1% 5 bedroomed property Less than 1% - 6 bedroome… 1% - Other/Not Specified Accommodation Requirement 1 bedroomed property 2 bedroomed property 3 bedroomed property 4 bedroomed property 5 bedroomed property 6 bedroomed property Other/Not Specified

6. Page 76

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 73 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing 6.1.15 Voids Minimising housing vacancies is a key action in relation to the Housing for All programme with funding provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in order to achieve these outcomes. Voids are categorised as vacant social housing stock in need of substantial refurbishment to bring them to a suitable letting condition and are vacant pending that work. Donegal County Council brought 78 vacant social homes back into active use under the Voids Programme in 2022. Managing voids is a core function of the Housing Section within Donegal County Council and it is normal for a proportion of the homes to become vacant over time. The current shortage of housing stock available to meet growing demand makes the efficient turnaround of voids a priority area for Donegal County Council and it endeavours to minimise the number of empty properties and the length of time that they are empty. 6.1.16 Serviced Sites Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities can make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers (self-builders). These sites are generally available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser. Local authorities can develop existing site(s) in their control or purchase site(s) and make them available for development by providing services and access to the site(s) concerned. The level of discount to the individual will depend on the level of servicing cost incurred by the local authority before the sale of the site but will not exceed €30,000. The amount of such discount will be reflected in the sale price of the site to the purchaser. 53% 14% 11% 7% 4% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% Current Tenure

7. Page 77

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 74 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing The Fund is focused on home ownership. The buyer of the site must reside in the dwelling built on the site as his or her principal private residence on completion of the dwelling. 6.1.17 Location of Social Housing Demand Table 6.14: Location of Social Housing Demand AREA OF CHOICE No. AREA OF CHOICE No. Annagry 20 Glencolmcille 4 Ardara 19 Gleneely 7 Arranmore 1 Glengad 3 Ballindrait 3 Glenswilly 4 Ballintra 11 Glenties 13 Ballybofey/Stranorlar 163 Gortahork 8 Ballyliffin 7 Greencastle 10 Ballyshannon 82 Gweedore 23 Bridgend 20 Inch 2 Bruckless 9 Kerrykeel 10 Bunbeg 1 Kilcar 5 Buncrana 255 Killea 5 Bundoran 96 Killybegs 24 Burnfoot 16 Killygordon 9 Burt 7 Kilmacrennan 57 Burtonport 8 Kincasslagh 1 Carndonagh 113 Laghy 5 Carrick 2 Letterkenny 902 Carrigans 12 Lettermacaward 1 Carrigart 27 Lifford 74 Castlefin 19 Liscooley 1 Churchill 14 Loughanure 4 Cloghan 1 Magheroarty 2 Clonmany 24 Malin 9 Convoy 43 Malin Head 2 Creeslough 16 Manorcunningham 23 Crolly 1 Milford 32 Culdaff 9 Mountcharles 8 Derrybeg 3 Moville 35 Donegal 137 Muff 24 Doochary 1 Newmills 4 Downings 10 Newtowncunningham 43 Drimarone 1 Pettigo 5 Drumkeen 6 Porthall 5 Dunfanaghy 17 Portsalon 1 Dungloe 54 Quigley's Point 4 Dunkineely 7 Ramelton 48 Fahan 7 Raphoe 37

8. Page 78

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 75 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing Falcarragh 33 Rathmullan 14 Fanad 5 Redcastle 3 Fintown 2 St. Johnston 21 Frosses 3 Termon 5 Total 2,782 6.1.18 Estimating Future Need. This section addresses Section 3 of the HNDA analysis in line with the Guidance on the Preparation of a Housing Need and Demand Assessment’ (DHLGH, April 2021). 6.1.18.1 Housing Supply Target Methodology Guidelines for Planning Authorities As noted in Chapter 3, statutory guidelines for incorporating housing supply targets into Development Plans (entitled the ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning’ Guidelines for Planning Authorities) were issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2020 and these guidelines have been used to inform the housing supply targets for the County over the lifetime of this Development Plan 6.1.18.2 Projections Using HNDA Tool The HNDA Tool developed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage estimates overall future housing requirements (existing housing need and future additional households), divided into four tenure-based categories on the basis of estimates of housing affordability: (1) Owner occupiers, (2) Private renters, (3) Affordability Constraint; and (4) Social renters. It must be noted that the tool is designed to produce a broad range of housing estimates rather than precise figures for housing demand. The graph below sets out projections generated by the HNDA tool when using the ‘Convergence Scenario’ projection (the Department’s Section 28 Guidelines in respect of HNDA recommend using this projection, which in tandem with unmet need is methodologically consistent with the Housing Supply Target guidelines for planning authorities). Based on the figures provided by the HNDA Tool under the convergence projection (which project a housing demand of 6860 units over the period 2024-2030), it is estimated that between 23-24% of housing delivery each year between 2024-2030 must be delivered in the social rent category. However, using the detailed information on social housing need presented in the preceding sections,

9. Page 79

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 76 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing we can see that the real percentage of housing delivery required in this category is more likely to be in the order of 36% of total housing delivery 6.1.19 Housing Quality The development of housing to a high standard and quality underpins the housing objectives and policies contained within this Plan in all its auspices including siting, location and design, and construction materials. In terms of construction materials, it is a statutory requirement that all development be in compliance with the Building Control Acts 1997-2014 and the Building Control Regulations 1997-2021. It is a focus of the Council that all developments (not solely housing developments) are constructed using high specification and certified materials. 6.1.20 Defective Concrete Blocks The commencement of the legislation relating to the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (2022) seeks to enable the remediation options available for homeowners. Related to those mechanisms providing for the remediation of homes, there are associated matters for planning authorities to consider in providing a means for homeowners to ensure that their homes are consistent with their original planning permission and specific advice has been developed to guide homeowners on issues relating to their property (https://www.donegalcoco.ie/media/donegalcountyc/mica/Defective%20Concrete%20Blocks%20Plan ning%20Services%20Advice%20Note%20-%20November%202023%20Update.pdf ) . This advice is provided to: (i) ensure a consistent approach to the planning advice given to homeowners, (ii) ensure that robust opinions in relation to potential non-material changes are provided, and (iii) ensure that the regularisation of non-compliant aspects of a previously permitted dwelling is undertaken in a timely fashion. The provisions of S28 of the 2022 Act specifically apply in that works associated with an approved remediation option are exempted development and that it facilitates the assessment of non-material modifications to a permitted dwelling under the Planning and Development Act. Where applications for the demolition and rebuilding of a home are submitted by a homeowner (separate to the provisions of S28 of the 2022 Act) these will be assessed as a replacement dwelling having regard to current policy. The commitment of the Council is to ensure that properties affected by defective concrete blocks are identified and managed as significant applications and they will be managed in a way that ensures as early a decision as possible after the mandatory 5-week public consultation period. The Council is committed to continuing to guide and advise affected property owners on planning matters within the scope of the Defective Concrete Blocks legislation.

10. Page 80

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    County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 77 Chapter 6 HousingChapter 6 Housing Objectives 6.2 Urban Housing The housing policies contained herein have been drafted with the aim of placing quality at the top of the housing agenda; securing compact growth and regeneration; and providing for residential environments that are attractive and functional, proximate to employment services, climate resilient, age friendly, safe and desirable. The Core Strategy sets out the total housing requirements (in hectares and unit numbers) that are required throughout the county in order to satisfy the population growth that is provided for in the Plan to 2030. The spatial strategy to guide the location of new urban housing provides for the county’s future supply of larger scale multiple residential development in Letterkenny and in the County Growth Drivers and, to a lesser extent, Service Towns, as these locations have or will have imminently, the suitable capacity in water services to accommodate the relative population equivalents. Rural towns will also provide opportunities for urban housing of a suitable scale having regard to the Core Strategy, the capacity of available water services and the scale and character of the town. Urban housing has the potential to be a significant contributor to renewal and regeneration and this is a targeted intervention that is prioritised in the Plan. In particular, the development of serviced sites in towns and villages represents an opportunity to support renewal and regeneration. In addition, innovation is to be sought in revitalising town centres through initiatives to reduce vacancy and dereliction and therefore transfer such units to habitable homes. The Housing Strategy supports this approach also and identifies regeneration of vacant and derelict buildings in town centres as a key focus for the future. In tandem with a targeted focus on the locations for new multiple developments and the role of housing in stimulating renewal and regeneration in smaller towns, the promotion of the design process for residential developments is now a central component of planning policy for urban housing. The promotion of design quality will result in more attractive places to live, provides for greater connectivity and integration of new housing with the existing urban fabric, provides positive spaces, provides innovative design solutions, and assists in developing community spirit and in reducing crime. This strategy is consistent with national policy as contained in NPO4. HS-O-1 To provide accommodation for travellers, and to identify and use particular areas for this accommodation as and when such a need is identified in consultation with relevant stakeholder.

Source Donegal County Council: County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied) (2024–2030) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.